Returnees to drive Lady Jets

East Meadow coach Adam Hananel has one of the more intriguing Lady Jets soccer teams taking the field as he enters his eighth season on the sideline.

On top of having the biggest senior class during his tenure—nine players—Hananel also has a large group of underclass players that includes six sophomores, one freshman and the first-ever eighth-grader he’s pulled up to play at the varsity level. “I think the girls are excited,” he said. “They’re excited to be around each other. This is the largest team I’ve ever carried over with more than 20 girls.

“I’m excited to see where we stand and hope we have a successful season.”

The team got off on the right foot defeating Wantagh in its non-league season opener on Sept. 4, 1-0, on a goal by senior Julie Fitzsimmons, who converted a feed from sophomore Vittoria Fuduli. Senior goalie Alyssa Sama and eighth-grader Stephanie Starkowski each stopped four shots in the shutout.

With a large roster, East Meadow has the potential to be a versatile team coming off a second-place finish in Conference AA-I during the regular season and an overtime loss in the second round of the Nassau County Class AA playoffs. “We’re going to push the pace and get after people,” Hananel said. “But we’re trying to organize to hit with two different approaches.”

Junior midfielder Nicole Leary will be joined by senior Danielle Michelini with classmate Gina Marie Wilson at one corner spot and Fitzsimmons on the other. The unit also includes senior Alexis Vaz and a trio of juniors—Melanie Navas, Emily Puciloski and Jennie O’Leary—though all four have the potential to be moved up to forward for stretches.

Navas is a playmaker, while Fitzsimmons will be counted on to help push the pace and create for her teammates. Junior Stephanie Echeverry is strong with the ball on her feet at forward, Vaz is a finisher and Wilson has the type of attacking mindset that would play out well in the up-tempo scheme. Alexandra Dagnell is also in the mix at forward and midfield.

The Lady Jets defense is comprised of several younger faces surrounding senior Mengan Bender. Fuduli, who teamed up with her older sister for a goal in last season’s first-round playoff win over Oceanside, returns and has the speed to not only win possession on the outside but also push the ball forward once she gets it. Freshman Kayla Leary is fast, poised and ready to contribute at the other outside back position. Senior Gabriella Ullo was a backup goalie last season but brings her toughness this fall to the backline where senior Hailey Arm, sophomore Katie Hernandez and freshman Rachel Rose are also expected to contribute.

Fama returns at keeper where she’ll split time with Sparkowski, who already stands 5-foot-9 and plays the game year-round. “They both bring positives to the table,” Hananel said.

East Meadow plays conference rivals Calhoun, Hicksville, MacArthur, Massapequa, Oceanside and Port Washington twice apiece.